Home > Centers > Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation > Idea Factory > Side Hustle Showcase
April 4, 2025, 12:00-1:30 p.m. in Rees-Jones Hall

Showcase your dream. Grow your potential.

Showcase your “side hustle” business idea – anything from baking cookies to producing music – for thoughtful feedback from entrepreneurial professionals and peers, plus the chance to win prizes and seed funding. You’ll gain valuable real-world experience in marketing and networking to promote your hobby business, growing your skills, building your confidence and connecting with our campus community.

Key Program Features

  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow side hustlers, potential customers, mentors and investors, expanding your professional network and opening doors to future collaborations.
  • Exposure and Visibility: Showcase your products or services to a broader audience, increasing brand visibility and the potential for attracting new customers.
  • Funding Opportunities: Potentially secure financial support for your side hustle.
  • Confidence Building: Present and market your side hustle to boost your confidence and public speaking skills, vital in various personal and professional situations.
  • Feedback and Improvement: Receive feedback from judges and peers, enabling you to refine your offerings and business strategies for future success.
  • Motivation and Inspiration: Get the feedback and encouragement you need to fuel your entrepreneurial dreams and ambitions.

The Side Hustle Showcase takes place each spring in a gallery format that lasts about an hour and a half. You’ll present your business idea in a trifold board display for review by TCU Neeley faculty and other business professionals. The top five scoring entrants will receive cash prizes.

All side hustles are welcome, whether it’s baking cookies, producing videos/music, photography, assisting the elderly or any other venture. This is a great opportunity to share your passion in a fun environment.

What do you need to do to show off your side hustle?

  • Get a trifold presentation board (provided by the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation) and add the following:
    • Your name and your business name (or whatever you call your side hustle)
    • Your university classification (undergrad or graduate student)
    • Description of your product or service
    • Description of your customers
    • How you currently connect with customers (or how you expect to do so)
    • How much of your product or service you have sold so far (dollars or volume); it's alright if you have just started and haven't sold yet
    • Your goals for the next 12 months
    • How you plan to meet those goals
    • What kind of support you need to make those goals a reality
    • Lots of pictures/visuals
  • Have business cards or a QR code so people can connect with you.
  • Practice a 30-second pitch and be prepared to answer questions from the judges as they peruse the gallery of entries.
  • If you are not able to stay the entire 90 minutes, please ask a friend to cover your table.
  • Invite your friends so they can vote.
  1. Most Innovative Idea: Recognizing the most creative and original side hustle concept.
  2. Best Presentation Board: Awarded to the student with the most engaging and visually appealing trifold board.
  3. Highest Revenue Potential: Recognizing the side hustle idea with the greatest potential for financial success.
  4. Peer Favorite: Voted on by fellow students for the side hustle idea they find most appealing or impressive.
  5. Judges' Choice: A special award given by a panel of judges to the side hustle idea that stands out for overall excellence.

Enter the Showcase

Next entry deadline: March 31, 2025

Register Now